Ukraine at War – Update 10, 2025

A Wartime Reflection on Easter

Palm Sunday celebrates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and being regaled with praise by the masses.

To call it that, though, demands that we know how the story ends. Jesus was riding to his betrayal, false imprisonment, and torturous death. On the face of it, there is little that is “triumphant” about that, but this is how Jesus always works – in accordance with his Father’s plan. 

Pastor Andriy – a dedicated HART partner whose countless dangerous journeys to front-line villages with humanitarian aid YOU support, recently shared a powerful Easter reflection.

Andriy draws a distinct parallel between the suffering of Christ during His Passion and the hardships Ukrainians are enduring during the war. It is a meditation on grief, despair, and faith that resonates deeply with the current reality of war-torn Ukraine, including the most recent events that just took place in Sumy (see below). READ ANDRIY’S REFLECTION HERE.

PALM SUNDAY MASSACRE. ‘A war crime’ — European leaders react to Russia’s Palm Sunday attack on Sumy

Sumy’s city center was bustling with people buying willow branches for Palm Sunday and lined with cars as locals enjoyed their Sunday morning. Russia struck the city with ballistic missiles. 34 lives have been stolen, and over 119 have been wounded. A day of faith turned to one of horror.

Investigators have determined that the second bombs used were deadly cluster bombs, which are banned by International law from being used against any civilian population. They are loaded with small munitions and explode in the air to “inflict maximum damage” on civilians on the street.

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, said: “Launching such an attack on a major Christian holiday is absolute evil.”

The EU’s ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, called the attack on churchgoers during Palm Sunday a “war crime” and said that Europe is increasing pressure on Russia and supporting Ukraine in every possible way. “Nothing seems to be sacred to the Russians — neither churches, nor Ukrainian children,” she added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for more pressure on Russia after the strike, saying the “talks have never stopped ballistic missiles or air bombs (cluster munitions).”

‘Pray for Our Church’: Russia Bombs Church Building in Kyiv, Kills Worship Leader’s Family

Just a couple of weeks ago, we told you the story of little Nicole and her father, Oleksandr, who tragically lost their lives in a Russian drone attack on a church compound in Kyiv. Olexandra, the wife and mother, survived. The following CBN video and interview are from the church.

Targeting civilian areas is a violation of international law and constitutes a war crime. This heartbreaking incident, as well as the recent one in Sumy, are yet more reminders of the heinous war crimes committed under Vladimir Putin’s regime. Please keep Olexandra in your prayers. WATCH VIDEO HERE.

THE MIRACULOUS RESCUE OF A BORDER GUARD UNIT

STORY: The Power of a Righteous Man’s Prayer.

This story is a powerful testament to God’s boundless mercy. When all seems lost, He provides a path to salvation.

Thanks to HART’s community, we’ve been able to produce thousands of food packages for civilians, refugees, and soldiers. Your support is saving lives. Read this inspiring story HERE.

I was wrong about not supporting Ukraine.

When U.S. President Donald Trump paused military aid to Ukraine last month, the man described as his “spiritual advisor,” Pastor Mark Burns, backed the decision.

Weeks later, Burns is now urging him to send Kyiv more tanks, fighter jets, and air defense systems. “I now believe that supporting Ukraine is America first,” he told the Kyiv Independent in a recent interview.

Burns’s dramatic shift in stance comes after a trip to Ukraine, where he witnessed the atrocities committed by Russia first-hand, visiting the site of a missile attack in Kryvyi Rih, which killed 20 people, including nine children.

The Kyiv Independent: Can you describe what has caused you to change your stance on Ukraine?

Pastor Mark Burns: Obviously, being on the ground in Ukraine has changed my opinion significantly. I am on record as being one of the staunch opponents of supporting Ukraine.

But it took me being in Kyiv, being at Bucha, seeing the atrocities that have taken place, innocent lives being killed, executed, and knowing the nearly 700 religious institutions have been intentionally targeted by the Russians, and 20,000 children have been kidnapped and deported back to Russia, not including the 1.3 million children that are unaccounted for.

When you hear these atrocities… It changed my perspective significantly. I now believe that supporting Ukraine is America first.

When I was on the ground, and you’re talking to these people, and once you see the atrocities at the hands of the Russians, politics goes out the window. Just a couple of days ago, nine children were killed, more innocent lives lost at the hands of the Russians.

As a man of God, my heart began to pour out, and I’ve been echoing the message that I was wrong. And the power of the cross teaches me to admit when you’re wrong, to have a humbled heart, and to say ‘I was wrong.’

This is simply human beings being destroyed at the hands of the Russians, and that’s why my heart has become a staunch supporter of supporting Ukraine.

I’m now echoing this message at the highest levels of government in the United States and around the world — that we need to get behind Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor.

My tears go out for those who are lost and are dying and are still being killed. And trust me when I tell you my voice is screaming from the mountaintop to whoever will listen. We need to end this conflict in Ukraine immediately.

We hope that more people from the US Administration would follow Pastor Mark’s example and go to Ukraine to see what is truly happening with their own eyes. The truth will set you free.